Whitecaps FC announce technical staff changes

The club’s head of high performance coach Gordon Forrest will join Carl Robinson’s first team coaching staff as an assistant coach, while also continuing to oversee the technical side of the Residency program.

Whitecaps FC also confirmed today that goalkeeper coach Marius Røvde will remain in his role, while Jake DeClute will focus solely on his role of scouting coordinator through mid-February. The club will not be renewing the contracts of assistant coach Paul Ritchie and strength and conditioning coach Mike Young.

Gordon Forrest – Whitecaps FC assistant coach and head of high performance

Joined Whitecaps FC on October 17, 2012, as U-18 Residency head coach and manager of coaching development

Nearly 10 years in soccer development with the Scottish Football Association and New Zealand Football

Former assistant coach at Scottish Football League club East Fife F.C.

10-year professional playing career in Scotland and Iceland

“We are thrilled to have Gordon join the first team in the day-to-day activities, while at the same time continuing to have a major role in the development of our best young players already on the first team or currently with the club’s U-18 side,” said Robinson, Whitecaps FC head coach. “This will greatly enhance our ability to better integrate our Residency program and our first team.”

Forrest, 36, joined the club on October 17, 2012, as head coach of the U-18 Residency team, and as manager of coaching development. The native of Dunfermline, Scotland, later took on the role as head of high performance, providing individual coaching for the club’s best young talent.

Prior to joining Whitecaps FC, Forrest spent nearly a decade working in soccer development for New Zealand Football and the Scottish Football Association, as well as a period as assistant coach of East Fife FC in the Scottish Second Division. As a player, Forrest enjoyed a 10-year professional soccer career in which he played for Raith Rovers FC (Scotland), Livingston FC (Scotland), KS Leiftur (Iceland), East Fife FC (Scotland), and Berwick Rangers FC (Scotland).

As part of Forrest’s transition to the first team, Whitecaps FC manager of player performance and recruitment Craig Dalrymple has been promoted to Residency technical director and will take over as interim U-18 Residency head coach.

Røvde, a native of Trondheim, Norway, came to Vancouver to work with the ’Caps goalkeepers in June 2011 and officially joined the first team staff on July 29, 2011. DeClute joined the club on January 20, 2012, as assistant coach and scouting coordinator. The Wheaton, Illinois, native will continue to focus on scouting through the 2014 MLS Player Combine and MLS SuperDraft.

Ritchie joined the club as an assistant coach on November 3, 2011, and Young on March 15, 2012. Prior to joining Whitecaps FC, Ritchie, a native of Kirkcaldy, Scotland, and Young, a native of Buffalo, New York, worked with North American Soccer League side Carolina RailHawks.

“We are thankful to Paul and Mike for their many contributions over the past two plus seasons,” said Robinson. “I have a lot of respect for Paul and Mike, however now is the right time to go in a new direction. I will be confirming the rest of my staff in the coming days and weeks.”

Whitecaps FC 2014 season tickets start at just $349, subject to applicable fees. The 'Caps are also offering a flexible range of ticket products, including half-season tickets ($244), 5-packs ($149), student season tickets ($199), and a youth soccer half-season ticket ($100). For more information on all Whitecaps FC ticket options, call 604.669.9283 ext. 2 or visit whitecapsfc.com/tickets.